Full question: Currently, I am collecting survivor benefits (wife deceased). I am 69 and I want to switch to my own Social Security benefits as it is much higher. What is the form name/number that I must complete? What information/documentation will I need to provide? (I have spent time looking for this information on the…

Full question: Hi Martha, I applied for SSI a month ago but then decided that I wanted to cancel the process so I went to the Social Security office and the person that spoke to me told me that he couldn’t do it, that I needed a telephone appointment to do that. I have read…

Full question: Hi, Martha, I understand that the WEP reduction for Foreign Pension cannot be more than 1/2 of the Foreign pension. That‘s even mentioned on the SSA website. Today, we went to our local SSA office and they said that the deduction up to 2/3s of the Foreign government pension. Who is correct –…

Full question: My wife and I filed for her Spousal Benefit from our address in Germany (She is a German citizen). I am back in the USA for a period of time, and want to take her very difficult to replace Birth Certificate in to an SSA office. The initial claim for her benefits was…

Hi there, There can be many reasons why they are holding up your benefit. We suggest that you call your local Social Security office to get more information. Good luck! Best, Martha

Hi there, The short answer is “yes, sort of!” The “consecutive” part means that the two time periods of the marriages must be in existence in each of the 10 or more consecutive years. Therefore, the second marriage must start within the 12 months after the first divorce. Social Security does require that two people…